Plans are meant to be changed... with hotel California addendum

Well, a lot has transpired since our last posting. We are now officially “Language School Dropouts”. We were very pleased with the instructors . They were all knowledgeable, patient and enthusiastic. However, we felt that the school's teaching methodology was rushed and confusing. I felt that insufficient time was allocated to verifying comprehension and practical application of the lessons... or maybe we are just slow learners???

Backing up a couple of days...

On the weekend, we went off on a road trip on a loop though Todos Santos, Cabos San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Barriles and back to la Paz. The last time this way we missed seeing this part of the Baja. The two other guys on our course who were traveling on motorcycles were headed for Cabo for a few days and had suggested a cheap hotel near the beach strip. When we arrived in Cabo, Bob and Don had already secured a room for us. As usual the older (grittier, as Lee would say) parts of town are the most interesting. The beach strip with huge hotels, malls and expensive restaurants could be anywhere warm.

Don & Bob in Cabo

Cabo San Lucas Beach Strip

This picture tells the story of Cabo

It wasn't until returning from the weekend road trip that we decided to investigate other language training options. We had been paying weekly for the course in la Paz so we let them know that we would not be returning for the second week. There is a possibility that we may be able to attend a course in Sayulita the week after next. No replies to my email yet.

Our host's Alicia and Vincente were very sweet. They were very accommodating and thoughtful of our every need. It was great pleasure to meet and stay with them and their family.

Alicia & Vincente....  muy simpaticos!

We have reorganized our plans... As I write this we are staying at the Hotel California in Todos Santos. Todos Santos is much less touristy than Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo. This hotel is the one that inspired the Eagles song. We arrived here yesterday for one night but decided to stay for two. It is really cool place. Linda wants to stay here for the rest of the trip! Don Henley;s words...”you can checkout, but you can never leave” seem quite appropriate. Here are a few photos....

Hotel California Street View

Balcony in front of our room.

The building and decorating is very nice

This is the entry gate to the interior guest area, pool andcourtyard

A shallow cooling-off pool... very relaxing!

Linda (now pronounced Lee-nda) is very happy at the Hotel California!

Tomorrow we are taking the Ferry to Topolobambo and going to Gauamuchil on Friday. Then\probably Mazatlan on Saturday.

This is a comical example of a stop sign.
 Firstly, it is almost impossible to see until you reach it.
Secondly, it says "4 way stop" but it is a T junction.
NO HAY PROBLEMA!

An Addendum:

Linda was browsing for info about the Hotel  California in Todos Santos and came up with some interesting info. Construction on the hotel started in 1947 (good year!). It was completed and opened in 1950.

Hotel California, Todos Santos circa 1950

In the late 70s and and early 80s it was renamed Hotel Mision Todos Santos. In the early 1980s a rumor was started, apparently by a real estate agent anxious to generate some business, that the Eagles had stayed in the hotel and Don Henley had composed the song here. In the late 80s the name was changed back to Hotel California. In 1997 at travel writer contacted Don Henley regarding the rumor relating to the Eagles. Henley denied any association between the song and the hotel. (see below) By 2000 the hotel was vacant and out of business. In 2001 and John Stewart and his wife Debbie (from BC, Vancouver and Nelson) bought the hotel and started an extensive renovation. John passed away in 2006. Debbie now owns and runs the hotel. In a conversation with her today, she attributes the state of the hotel almost entirely to John's vision and design. She told us that with every update and touch up, not even a colour is changed.

I'm a little disappointed that this is not the hotel in Don Henley's song. Guess I'm a romantic at heart. Never the less, it shouldn't distract from it's charm.  We think both the town and the hotel are pretty special and well worth a visit.